Ellen Ida Bente, 94, of Elkader, died Thursday, February 16, 2017, at the Good Samaritan Society in Waukon, Iowa. She was born in Elkader on April 8, 1922, to John and Alma (Mueller) Leuchtenmacher. She was baptized on July 22, 1922.
Ellen was united in marriage to Leighton Bente on November 22, 1940, at her parent’s home near Mederville, Iowa by Rev. C.H. Franke. To this union, one son and two daughters were born, Robert, Ruth and Janice.
Ellen and Leighton lived most of their lives on the Bente Century Farm which they enjoyed, together working the land and caring for their livestock.
She is survived by her children, Robert (Verla) Bente of Garnavillo, Ruth Teggatz of Cedar Rapids and Janice (Jim) Allison of Waukon; seven grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Ellen was preceded in death by her husband Leighton in 2004; her parents; her sister Inez Friedlein; her brothers, Floyd Leuchtenmacher, Clifford Leuchtenmacher and twin brothers in infancy (1918).
Visitation: 3:00pm to 5:00 pm – Sunday, February19, 2017, at Leonard-Grau Funeral Home in Elkader and after 10:00 am on Monday at the Church
Funeral Service: 11:00 am – Monday, February 20, 2017 at Peace United Church of Christ in Elkader with Rev. Jon Haack officiating.
Interment: East Side Cemetery, Elkader.
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family. Online condolences may be left with www.graufuneralhomes.com